Metapoetry and Narcissism in the Poetry of Seamus Heaney: A critical Study of Selected Poems

Abstract

This research examines metapoetry or self-reference poems which is concerned with writing about poetry itself. In other words, poetry is thematized and manipulated as the basic subject matter. The study aims to expose the narcissist traces and the creative aspects through the selected poems of Seamus Heaney in terms of meta poetry and self-reference. It highlights the authentic relation between manual work and place in one hand and the creative work of a poet on the other hand. In this respect, the research investigates the artistic ability of the poet in translating manual work through invoking traditional manual works such as "Digging", "Forge ","The Salmon Fisher to the Salmon", "Poet's Chair" and "A Shiver" that have not been used any longer because of machinery and modern technology. These works are shown as equivalent to the process of writing poetry to explore mystery, curiosity, hard work yet productivity. Also, by referring to the physical world represented by certain places such as such "Anahorish" and "Broagh" Ending with "Personal Helicon" as the metaphorical construction for writing poetry or the actual home for inspiration yet for the creative work of a poet. Whether adapting laboring poems or languary poems, Heaney, as a narcissist poet shows artifice capacity to enhance his poetry in terms of self-conscious and reflexivity.